The Fireseed Wars

The door yawned open. Inside were two twenty-foot metal mesh conveyers and boxes full of supplies and Aryan-Transpacific appropriate weapons: muskets, bills, halberds, pikes, swords and kegs of fireseed. Sirna felt a gnawing homesickness as she thought about how long she'd been away from Home Time Line. Maybe going home is for the best.

She was led to the back office which was occupied by a Paratime Policeman in a green uniform.

He stood up and smiled. "I am Paratime Police Field Agent Maldar Dard."

Sirna didn't know whether to be frightened or relaxed. "Agent Maldar, I am Danar Sirna and I've come to turn myself in."

"Turn yourself in? When you are First Lady-in-Waiting to the Great Queen? When the entire Paratime Police Department is at your disposal to help you maintain your role? When Dhergabar University is holding its breath as they wait for your first papers to appear?"

"How did you find out?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"Don't be frightened. We've been keeping an eye on you for some time. One of our agents spotted you during a routine surveillance of the new Queen's court shortly after the two of you arrived at the palace. A background check in Greater Beshta uncovered the story of how you became a healer for Captain-General Phidestros' Iron Band. Considering the turmoil in Hostigos Town after the Battle at Ardros Field, you showed great initiative and excellent survival skills. It was smart of you to link up with one of the three men in Hos-Hostigos who could protect you from the Investigation."

Sirna shrugged. "It was more by accident than by design. I was dumped off unconscious at a Hostigi brothel by a greedy peasant. It was my good fortune that the bawdy house was the headquarters for Phidestros' Iron Band instead of one of Roxthar's Investigation camps."

"I agree that you had Lytris' Own Luck; however, not just anyone could have connived themselves into a valuable position within the Iron Band."

"Again, just luck. Once I became aware of how few healers were available, I felt I had to pitch in and do whatever I could to help the wounded. The state of medicine on Aryan-Transpacific is abysmal." She went on to explain how she used her background as a Trader's daughter to explain her familiarity with the healing arts. "I did use some of Kalvan's techniques, particularly in dealing with sepsis. Phidestros was quite pragmatic in that regard; if it helped cure his men, he didn't question it."

"Your efforts as the Iron Band's healer worked out quite well. As I understand it, he thwarted Roxthar on your behalf."

Sirna blushed. "Phidestros is a hard man in many ways, but he is very loyal. The Iron Band is his family and anyone who helps the Band becomes part of that family." She went on to explain how Roxthar came close to having his life taken by the Iron Band soldiers when he accosted her.

Maldar nodded. "It's unfortunate that you didn't continue your sojourn with the Iron Band. Since his victory in Hostigos, Prince Phidestros has become one of the most important figures in the Five Kingdoms; it would have been very useful to have a confidante in his employ."

She looked down at the floor. "I had personal reasons for leaving…"

"We won't go into that," Maldar said gently. "Outtime work can be very dangerous as well as lonely. Sometimes we take our comforts from wherever we can. Besides, your relationship with the new Harphaxi Great Queen is almost equally important."

"I'm glad. I've become somewhat fond of the Queen, even if she is spoiled and too self-absorbed. She can be kind. Also, I understand how truly alone she is in Harphax City."

"Good. Now, for the record: why didn't you report in to the Harphaxi Study Team after you first arrived in Harphax City?"

"I was afraid that, if I came here, I might be trussed up and put on the first conveyer back to First Level for disciplinary sanctions by the University."

He nodded. "That's understandable. This is your first outtime assignment. To be frank, the University administrator in charge of the Study Teams has not been pleased with some of your choices. However, he is delighted that you've become the confidante of the new Queen and anxiously awaits your reports. I'm certain that any disciplinary charges from the University will be conveniently forgotten."

Sirna let out a big sigh of relief.

Maldar leaned in close. "If they're not, Sirna, I'll personally see that they're dropped. The Department respects anyone who can survive the out-time difficulties you've surmounted, especially without any Paratime Police training. You've made a few mistakes, but that's understandable. You're new at this; however, after all this is over, don't be surprised if we offer you an opportunity to join the Paratime Police."

"Does that mean I can go home?"